Daughter: "I'm so grateful" for searchers

The body of 82-year-old David Little, who went missing 3 weeks ago, has been found.

Saturday, a search group made up of close friends of Little's daughter, Thelma West, and the Craven Sheriffs Department got together to help her look for her father. The group of about 20 met up at Simmons Loop Road off Highway 17 to search for the man. That's the area where Little's hat and coat were found 2 weeks ago.

"I'm so grateful for everyone that helped me find my father," said West. T"hey said that they would not leave until they found him, they came out and they didn't stop."

Within an hour and a half of the start of the search, Little's body was found lying on the ground in a wooded area on Weyerhauser property near the Jones County line.

"He looked like he had made himself a bed and went to sleep," said Sgt. Mark Weaver.

"I'm glad to know he just laid down and gone to sleep," said West.

Craven and Jones County deputies are on scene.

Little suffered from dementia.

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As temperatures continue to drop in Eastern Carolina, the search for a missing elderly man in Craven County intensifies. 82 year old David Little of Greene County went missing over a week ago. His daughter, Thelma West says he wondered off from her home off highway 17 on January 10th.

“He’s been gone too long that's a long time it’s just too long and I just want him to be home and be safe,” said West. “I want him home it’s going to be unbearable tonight, he's been without medicine I just can't imagine him being out here no toboggan on his head. No I can’t imagine him making it.”

Over the last few days tips have led investigators from Simmons Loop Road to Jacksonville, but still no sight of little who suffers from dementia.

Investigators did find Little's coat, hat, and a walking stick on a post on Simmons Loop Road in Craven County four days after he disappeared.

Deputies say someone burned down little's home in Snow Hill late last month, which is why he moved in with his daughter.

Anyone with information on Little's is asked to call the Craven County Sheriff's Office at (252) 636-6620.

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The search for a missing elderly man was called off, but authorities and family members are still asking for your help to find.

82-year-old David Little, of New Bern, disappeared Thursday, January 10. According to deputies, the man has dementia. Craven County Emergency Director Stanley Kite tells us there are no leads into Little's whereabouts.

According to his wife Frances Little, he wanted to go back to their home in Snow Hill.

“He unlocked the door, passed the dog. He didn't pay him no mind,” said Frances.

“He always went on the porch, said Little’s daughter Thelma West,” on my front porch not my back porch because he was scared of the dog. I can't understand how he passed by him.”

According to authorities someone burned down Little's home in Snow Hill late last month. Little and his wife had only been staying with his daughter for a week before he disappeared without a trace and without his medication.

Anyone with information on Little's is asked to call the Craven County Sheriff's Office at (252) 636-6620.

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